25 Espresso Drinks to Satisfy Every Craving

lelit espresso machine pulling a shot of espresso and steaming milk

The Complete Guide to Lelit Espresso Machines & Grinders (2025 Edition)

The Coffee GuyOct 15, 2025

From the compact Mara X V2 to the flagship Bianca V3, Lelit espresso machines deliver Italian precision and prosumer performance for every type of home barista. In this complete guide, we break down every Lelit machine and grinder offered at Cliff & Pebble — including key features, pros and cons, and quick FAQs — to help you find your perfect espresso setup.

A cozy Halloween coffee scene featuring five festive drinks

5 Halloween Coffee Drinks (Easy, Spooky, & Actually Delicious)

The Coffee GuyOct 12, 2025

Tired of the same old pumpkin spice? This Halloween, caffeinate with a twist. We’ve brewed up five frightfully fun coffee drinks—from candy corn lattes to caramel apple cold brew—that’ll wake the dead (and your taste buds). Easy, spooky, and scarily delicious.

coffee grinder burr chamber full of coffee grounds

How to Clean Your Burr Grinder: Step-by-Step Guide + Maintenance Tips

The Coffee GuyOct 11, 2025

A dirty grinder can ruin even the best coffee beans. Over time, oils and residue build up inside your burrs, dulling flavor and causing inconsistent grinds. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to clean your burr grinder—what tools you need, how often to do it, and the simple steps to keep every espresso shot tasting its best.

Espresso Pressure: How 9 Bars Became the Gold Standard (and When to Break the Rules)

The Coffee GuyOct 07, 2025

9 bars of pressure has long been the benchmark for perfect espresso — but why? In this guide, we break down the science, history, and technique behind espresso pressure, explaining how it shapes flavor, crema, and balance — and when lowering or raising it can actually make your coffee taste even better.

breville espresso machine in a modern kitchen

Why Most High-End Espresso Machines Aren’t on Amazon (and When Buying There Makes Sense)

The Coffee GuySep 26, 2025

Amazon is great for paper towels — but not for $3,000 espresso machines. Here’s why most high-end brands don’t sell on Amazon, when buying there makes sense, and why specialty retailers like Cliff & Pebble provide the service and protection you actually need.

single boiler espresso machine next to a dual boiler espresso machine in a bright kitchen

Single Boiler vs Dual Boiler Espresso Machines: The Complete Buyer’s Guide (2025)

The Coffee GuySep 24, 2025

Confused about single boiler vs dual boiler espresso machines? This 2025 guide breaks down pros, cons, warm-up times, energy use, and real-world scenarios. Whether you love straight espresso, daily lattes, or entertaining guests, learn which machine type fits your workflow best.

Fall Coffee Drinks to Warm Your Soul (and How to Make Them at Home)

The Coffee GuySep 19, 2025

Fall is here, and so are cozy flavors like pumpkin, maple, caramel, and cinnamon. In this guide, we share our favorite fall coffee drinks you can make at home — from classics like the Pumpkin Spice Latte to creative twists like the Apple Cider Espresso Tonic. With recipes, brewing tips, and gear suggestions, you’ll have everything you need to turn your kitchen into the perfect fall café.

PID Temperature Control in Espresso Machines: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Dial It In

The Coffee GuySep 17, 2025

PID temperature control is the secret to consistent, café-quality espresso at home. By stabilizing brew water within 1–2 degrees, PID eliminates guesswork, makes temperature surfing unnecessary, and helps you dial in flavor by roast type. Whether you use a single boiler, HX, or dual boiler, this guide shows why PID is a must-have feature for serious espresso lovers.

lelit bianca v3 espresso machine in a kithen

Cliff Notes: Jamie’s Espresso Upgrade Journey

The Coffee GuySep 13, 2025

Jamie loved coffee but struggled with inconsistent shots and weak steam from her starter setup. In this Cliff Notes, we explore her upgrade path—what they wanted, what they researched, and the espresso machine and grinder combos we recommended to bring café-quality drinks home.

Espresso Drinks to Satisfy Every Craving: 25 Recipes to Try

Mix equal parts espresso, vodka, and Kahlua in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a martini glass.

2. Affogato

Scoop a small ball of vanilla ice cream into a coffee cup, pour a shot of hot espresso over it.

3. Espresso Fizz

Mix one shot of espresso with simple syrup, lemon juice, and soda water. Shake with ice and strain into a glass.

4. Espresso Tonic

Mix one shot of espresso with tonic water, and garnish with a slice of lime.

5. Espresso Old Fashioned

Mix one shot of espresso with simple syrup, a dash of bitters, and a splash of whiskey. Shake with ice and strain into a glass.

6. Espresso Con Panna

Pour a shot of hot espresso over a dollop of whipped cream.

7. Espresso Mocha

Mix one shot of espresso with steamed milk, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream.

8. Espresso Macchiato

Pour a shot of hot espresso over a small amount of steamed milk.

9. Espresso with Cognac

Pour a shot of hot espresso over a splash of cognac.

10. Espresso with Bailey's

Pour a shot of hot espresso over a splash of Bailey's Irish Cream.

11. Espresso with Amaretto

Pour a shot of hot espresso over a splash of Amaretto liqueur.

12. Espresso with Frangelico

Pour a shot of hot espresso over a splash of Frangelico liqueur.

13. Espresso with Sambuca

Pour a shot of hot espresso over a splash of Sambuca liqueur.

14. Espresso with Cointreau

Pour a shot of hot espresso over a splash of Cointreau liqueur.

15. Espresso with Drambuie

Pour a shot of hot espresso over a splash of Drambuie liqueur.

16. Espresso with Grand Marnier

Pour a shot of hot espresso over a splash of Grand Marnier liqueur.

17. Espresso with Kahlua

Pour a shot of hot espresso over a splash of Kahlua liqueur.

18. Espresso with Irish Cream

Pour a shot of hot espresso over a splash of Irish Cream liqueur.

19. Espresso with Chocolate Liqueur

Pour a shot of hot espresso over a splash of chocolate liqueur.

20. Espresso with Cream Liqueur

Pour a shot of hot espresso over a splash of cream liqueur.

21. Espresso with Vanilla Liqueur

Pour a shot of hot espresso over a splash of vanilla liqueur.

22. Espresso with Cinnamon Liqueur

Pour a shot of hot espresso over a splash of cinnamon liqueur.

23. Espresso with Hazelnut Liqueur

Pour a shot of hot espresso over a splash of hazelnut liqueur.

24. Espresso with Caramel Liqueur

Pour a shot of hot espresso over a splash of caramel liqueur.

25. Espresso with Butterscotch Liqueur

Pour a shot of hot espresso over a splash of butterscotch liqueur.

Save 10% OFF Your Order